Electrosurgical instrument with textured jaws

ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical system includes an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector in mechanical communication with the handle body. The end effector has a first jaw including a first electrode having a first electrode surface in electrical communication with a first terminal of the generator. The end effector also includes a second jaw including a second electrode having an essentially planar second electrode surface in electrical communication with a second terminal of the generator The first jaw includes at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/459,499, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH TEXTURED JAWS, filed Mar. 15, 2017, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0263683, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Electrosurgical devices are used in many surgical operations. Electrosurgical devices apply electrical energy to tissue in order to treat tissue. An electrosurgical device may comprise an instrument having a distally-mounted end effector comprising one or more electrodes. The end effector can be positioned against tissue such that electrical current is introduced into the tissue. Electrosurgical devices can be configured for bipolar operation. During bipolar operation, current is introduced into and returned from the tissue by active and return electrodes, respectively, of the end effector. Bipolar devices may also have an end effector consisting of two or more jaws each having at least one of the active and or return electrodes. At least one of the jaws is moveable from a position spaced apart from the opposing jaw for receiving tissues to a position in which the space between the jaws is less than that of the first position. Movement of the moveable jaw compresses the tissue held between. Heat generated by the current flow through the tissue in combination with the compression achieved by the jaw movement may form hemostatic seals within the tissue and/or between tissues and thus may be particularly useful for sealing blood vessels, for example. The end effector of an electrosurgical device sometimes also comprises a cutting member that is movable relative to the tissue and the electrodes to transect the tissue.

Electrosurgical devices also may include mechanisms to clamp tissue together, such as a stapling device, and/or mechanisms to sever tissue, such as a tissue knife. An electrosurgical device may include a shaft for placing the end effector proximate to tissue undergoing treatment. The shaft may be straight or curved, bendable or non-bendable. In an electrosurgical device including a straight and bendable shaft, the shaft may have one or more articulation joints to permit controlled bending of the shaft. Such joints may permit a user of the electrosurgical device to place the end effector in contact with tissue at an angle to the shaft when the tissue being treated is not readily accessible using an electrosurgical device having a straight, non-bending shaft.

Electrical energy applied by an electrosurgical device can be transmitted to the instrument by a generator. The electrical energy may be in the form of radio frequency (“RF”) energy. The electrical energy may be in the form of radio frequency (“RF”) energy that may be in a frequency range described in EN 60601-2-2:2009+A11:2011, Definition 201.3.218—HIGH FREQUENCY. For example, the frequency in monopolar RF applications is typically restricted to less than 5 MHz. However, in bipolar RF applications, the frequency can be almost anything. Frequencies above 200 kHz can be typically used for monopolar applications in order to avoid the unwanted stimulation of nerves and muscles which would result from the use of low frequency current. Lower frequencies may be used for bipolar techniques if the risk analysis shows the possibility of neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level. Normally, frequencies above 5 MHz are not used in order to minimize the problems associated with high frequency leakage currents. However, higher frequencies may be used in the case of bipolar techniques. It is generally recognized that 10 mA is the lower threshold of thermal effects on tissue.

During its operation, an electrosurgical device can transmit RF energy through tissue compressed between the two or more jaws. Such RF energy may cause ionic agitation in the tissue, in effect producing resistive heating, and thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue. Increased temperature of the tissue may lead to tissue cauterization. RF energy may work particularly well on connective tissue, which is primarily comprised of collagen and shrinks when contacted by heat. Because a sharp boundary may be created between the affected tissue and the surrounding tissue, surgeons can operate with a high level of precision and control, without sacrificing un-targeted adjacent tissue. In some surgical procedures, RF energy may be useful for sealing blood vessels.

During surgical resection of tissue, blood vessels may be severed either as part of the procedure or ancillary to the resection of a tissue of interest. Once a blood vessel has been severed, blood may flow into the surgical site, potentially obscuring the site from view and rendering the surgical procedure more difficult. If the severed blood vessel is a major vessel, such as an artery or vein, the patient may suffer significant blood loss during the procedure thereby significantly compromising the patient's health.

Many blood vessels comprise a three-layer structure. The inner most layer, the intima (or tunica interna), may line the lumen of the blood vessel. The intermediate layer (tunica media) may comprise smooth muscle cells that may contract to assist blood flow. The outermost layer, the adventitia (or tunica externa) is a complex structure that may include multiple cell types, such as leukocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts, imbedded in an extracellular matrix that may include a variety of collagen fibrils, fibronectin, and various proteoglycans.

It may be understood that successful cauterization of a blood vessel requires the application of both a sufficient compressive force to close the blood vessel as well as the application of the RF energy to heat and cauterize the tissue under compression. In order to apply the sufficient compressive force to the blood vessel, the end effector jaws of the electrosurgical device must securely grasp the adventitia of the blood vessel and apply sufficient pressure to overcome forces generated by the smooth muscle as well as the blood flow within. It may be recognized that the structure and composition of the adventitia may make it difficult for the end effector jaws to grasp a blood vessel securely enough to allow the compressive force and RF energy to be delivered for proper cauterization. Therefore, it may be useful to design an end effector of an electrosurgical device with features or textures to assure that the end effector jaws can securely grasp a blood vessel prior to and during cauterization.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an electrosurgical system may include an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector in mechanical communication with the handle body. The end effector may include a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first electrode surface, in which the first electrode is in electrical communication with a first terminal of the RF current generator, and a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second electrode surface, in which the second electrode is in electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current generator, and in which the first jaw comprises at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw. Additionally, the second electrode is a planar surface.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature includes an at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature includes an at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.

In one aspect, the electrosurgical system further includes a plurality of insulating pads in which each of the plurality of insulating pads has a surface co-planar with the second electrode surface, in which the at least one feature comprises a plurality of raised bosses extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode, and in which at least one of the plurality of raised bosses is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of insulating pads when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature further includes an at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the plurality of raised bosses extend from a surface of the at least one longitudinal ridge.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature further includes an at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature further includes an at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and in which the plurality of raised bosses extend from a surface of the at least one transverse ridge.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the at least one feature further includes an at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.

In one aspect of the electrosurgical system, the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.

In one aspect, an end effector for an electrosurgical device may include a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first electrode surface, in which the first electrode is configured to be in electrical communication with a first terminal of an RF current generator and a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second electrode surface, in which the second electrode is configured to be in electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current generator. Further to the aspect, the first jaw includes at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw, and further, the second electrode is a planar surface.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second jaw that is greater than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature includes at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature includes at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the a least one feature and the second electrode surface that is less than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature includes at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one features includes at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that is greater than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw, and, further, at least a second feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least second feature and the second electrode surface that is less than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

In one aspect of the end effector, the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.

In one aspect, the end effector further includes at least one insulating pad in which the at least one insulating pad has a surface co-planar with the second electrode, in which the at least one feature has at least one raised boss extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode, and in which the at least one raised boss is configured to engage the at least one insulating pad when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature further includes at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and in which the at least one raised boss extends from a surface of the at least one longitudinal ridge.

In one aspect of the end effector, the at least one feature further includes at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the at least one raised boss extends from a surface of the at least one transverse ridge.

In one aspect of the end effector, the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw.

In one aspect of the end effector, the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features of the various aspects are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The various aspects, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1A shows a surgical instrument in electrical communication with an energy source, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a detailed view of the end effector of the surgical instrument shown in FIG. 1A, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument of FIGS. 1A and 1B with the jaws open.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of the non-movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of a jaw member frame of the non-movable jaw depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of an electrode assembly of the non-movable jaw depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4C illustrates an exploded view of the aspect of the non-movable jaw depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one aspect of a movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are planar views of a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 7-7 of the aspect of the movable jaw of depicted in FIG. 6C.

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 8-8 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 6C.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a second aspect of a movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are planar views of a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 11-11 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 10C.

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 12-12 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 10C.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a third aspect of a movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a fourth aspect of a movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are planar views of a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 16-16 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 15C.

FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 17-17 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 15C.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a fifth aspect of a movable jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are planar views of a top, a side, and a bottom, respectively, of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 20-20 of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 19C.

FIG. 21A is a transverse sectional view taken along line 21A-21A of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 19C.

FIG. 21B is a transverse sectional view taken along line 21B-21B of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 19C.

FIG. 21C is a transverse sectional view taken along line 21C-21C of the aspect of the movable jaw depicted in FIG. 19C.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of the end effector of the electrosurgical instrument of FIGS. 1A and 1B with the jaws closed and compressing a blood vessel therebetween.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of one aspect of a blood vessel after a sealing operation has been applied by the electrosurgical instrument of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of the electrosurgical instrument of FIGS. 1A and 1B in which the first jaw and the second jaw include interior tapered portions and external concave portions.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a second aspect of a blood vessel compressed between the first jaw and the second jaw of the end effector depicted in FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the technology should not be used to limit its scope. Other examples, features, aspects, aspects, and advantages of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the technology described herein is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the technology. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, aspects, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, aspects, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following described teachings, expressions, aspects, examples, etc. should, therefore, not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that terms such as front, back, inside, outside, upper, lower, top, bottom and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Terminology used herein is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations. The various aspects will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Throughout this disclosure, the term “proximal” is used to describe the side of a component, e.g., a shaft, a handle assembly, etc., closer to a user operating the surgical instrument, e.g., a surgeon, and the term “distal” is used to describe the side of the component farther from the user operating the surgical instrument.

Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a single electrosurgical device configured for grasping tissue and performing sealing procedures using electrical and/or other energy. An end effector of the electrosurgical device may include multiple members arranged in various configurations to collectively perform the aforementioned functions. As used herein, an end effector may be referred to as a jaw assembly or clamp jaw assembly comprising an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member where at least one of the upper jaw member and the lower jaw member may be movable relative to the other. Jaw members may be adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A jaw member may incorporate an electrode. The electrode may be a positive or negative electrode. In a bipolar electrosurgical device, the electrodes may be adapted for connection to the opposite terminals of the electrosurgical energy source, such as a bipolar radio frequency (RF) generator, so as to generate a current flow therebetween. An electrosurgical energy may be selectively communicated through tissue held between the jaw members to effect a tissue seal and/or treatment. Tissue may be coagulated from the current flowing between the opposite polarity electrodes on a jaw member.

At least one jaw member may include a knife channel defined therein configured to reciprocate a knife therealong for severing tissue held between the jaw members. The knife channel may be an extended slot in the jaw member. The knife may be provided within a recess associated with the at least one jaw member. The electrosurgical device may have both coagulation and cutting functions. This may eliminate or reduce instrument interchange during a surgery. Cutting may be achieved using mechanical force alone or a combination of mechanical force and the electrosurgical energy. The electrosurgical energy may be selectively used for coagulation and/or cutting. The knife may be made from an electrically conductive material adapted to connect to the electrosurgical source, and selectively activatable to separate tissue disposed between the jaw members. The knife may be spring biased such that once tissue is severed, the knife may automatically return to an unengaged position within the knife channel or a retracted position in the recess.

In some aspects, the jaw members may be movable relative to each other. During operation of the electrosurgical device, at least one of the jaw members may move from a first, open position where the jaw members can be disposed around a mass of tissue, to a second, closed position where the jaw members grasp the tissue. The jaw members therefore may move through a graspers-like range of motion, similar to that of conventional pliers. In the second position, current flows between the jaw members to achieve hemostasis of the tissue captured therebetween. The jaw members may be configured to have a relatively thick proximal portion to resist bending. At least one of the jaw members may have a three-dimensional configuration with a D-shaped cross-sectional. The three-dimensional configuration with the D-shaped cross-sectional may resist bending. A lock mechanism may be included to lock the jaw members in the closed position. The lock mechanism may set the clamp pressure between the jaw members. At least one electrically conductive gap setting member may be provided between the jaw members to establish a desired gap between electrodes in bipolar electrosurgical devices.

The electrosurgical device may incorporate components to set a gap between the jaws of the end effector, grasp a tissue via the end effector, deliver energy to the tissue via one or more electrodes, and cut the tissue via a dissecting device such as a tissue knife. The structural capabilities of any aspect of an electrosurgical device may be designed for use in one or more of a variety of surgical procedures. In some surgical procedures, the treated tissue may be readily accessible to an end effector affixed to a relatively straight and unbendable shaft. In some alternative surgical procedures, the tissue may not be readily accessible to the end effector on such a shaft. In such procedures, the electrosurgical device may incorporate a shaft designed to bend so that the end effector may contact the tissue requiring treatment. In such a device, the shaft may include one or more articulated joints that may permit the shaft to bend under control by the user. A sliding knife may include a feature to provide actuating force to the sliding knife. A knife actuator may be operably coupled to the shaft for selectively reciprocating the knife through the knife channel.

A front portion assembly may be designed for a specific surgical procedure, while a reusable handle assembly, configured to releasably attach to a front portion assembly, may be designed to provide control of surgical functions common to each front portion assembly, such as tissue grasping, cauterizing, and cutting. Consequently, the number and types of devices required for surgeries can be reduced. The reusable handle assembly may be designed to automate common functions of the electrosurgical device. Device intelligence may be provided by a controller located in the reusable handle assembly that is configured to receive information from a front portion assembly. Such information may include data regarding the type and use of the front portion assembly. Alternatively, information may include data indicative of the position and/or activation of control components (such as buttons or slides that can be manipulated) that may indicate what system functions should be activated and in what manner.

In some non-limiting examples, the controller may supply the RF current when the energy activation control is placed in an activating position by the user. In some alternative non-limiting examples, the controller may supply the RF current for a predetermined period of time once the energy activation control is placed in an activing position. In yet another non-limiting example, the controller may receive data related to the position of the jaw members and prevent the RF current from being supplied to the to the one or more tissue cauterization power contacts if the jaw members are not in a closed position.

In some aspects, any of the mentioned examples also may be configured to articulate along at least one axis through various means, including, for example, a series of joints, one or more hinges or flexure bearings, and one or more cam or pulley systems. Other features may include cameras or lights coupled to one or more of the members of the end effector, and various energy options for the surgical device.

The electrosurgical device can be configured to source energy in various forms including, without limitation, electrical energy, monopolar and/or bipolar RF energy, microwave energy, reversible and/or irreversible electroporation energy, and/or ultrasonic energy, heat energy, or any combination thereof, to the tissue of a patient either independently or simultaneously. The energy can be transmitted to the electrosurgical device by a power source in electrical communication with the electrosurgical device. The power source may be a generator. The power source may be connected to the electrosurgical device via a suitable transmission medium such as a cable. The power source may be separate from the electrosurgical device or may be made integrally with the electrosurgical device to form a unitary electrosurgical system. In one non-limiting example, the power source may include one or more batteries located within a portion of the electrosurgical device. It may be understood that the power source may source energy for use on the tissue of the patient as well as for any other electrical use by other devices, including, without limitation, lights, sensors, communication systems, indicators, and displays, which operate in relation to and/or with the electrosurgical device to form an electrosurgical system.

As disclosed above, the electrosurgical device may be configured to source electrical energy in the form of RF energy. The electrosurgical device can transmit the RF energy through tissue compressed between two or more jaw members. In some surgical procedures, RF energy may be useful for removing, shrinking, or sculpting soft tissue while simultaneously sealing blood vessels. RF energy may work particularly well on connective tissue, which is primarily composed of collagen and shrinks when contacted by heat. Because a sharp boundary may be created between the affected tissue and the surrounding tissue, surgeons can operate with a high level of precision and control, without sacrificing untargeted adjacent tissue.

The RF energy may be in a frequency range described in EN 60601-2-2:2009+A11:2011, Definition 201.3.218—HIGH FREQUENCY. For example, the frequency in monopolar RF applications may be typically restricted to less than 5 MHz. However, in bipolar RF applications, the frequency can be almost anything. Frequencies above 200 kHz can be typically used for monopolar applications in order to avoid the unwanted stimulation of nerves and muscles that would result from the use of low frequency current. Lower frequencies may be used for bipolar applications if the risk analysis shows the possibility of neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level. Normally, frequencies above 5 MHz are not used in order to minimize the problems associated with high frequency leakage currents. Higher frequencies may, however, be used in the case of bipolar applications. It is generally recognized that 10 mA is the lower threshold of thermal effects on tissue.

As discussed above, the electrosurgical device may be used in conjunction with a generator. The generator may be an electrosurgical generator characterized by a fixed internal impedance and fixed operating frequency that deliver maximum power to an external load (e.g., tissue) having an electrical impedance in the range of about 50 ohms to 150 ohms. In this type of bipolar electrosurgical generator, the applied voltage may increase monotonically as the load impedance increases toward the maximum “open circuit” voltage as the load impedance increases to levels of tens of thousands of ohms or more. In addition, the electrosurgical device may be used with a bipolar electrosurgical generator having a fixed operating frequency and an output voltage that may be substantially constant over a range of load impedances of tens of ohms to tens of thousands of ohms including “open circuit” conditions. The electrosurgical device may be advantageously used with a bipolar electrosurgical generator of either a variable voltage design or substantially constant voltage design in which the applied voltage may be interrupted when the delivered current decreases below a predetermined level. Such bipolar generators may be referred to as automatic generators in that they may sense the completion of the coagulation process and terminate the application of voltage, often accompanied by an audible indication in the form of a cessation of a “voltage application” tone or the annunciation of a unique “coagulation complete” tone. Further, the electrosurgical device may be used with an electrosurgical generator whose operating frequency may vary with the load impedance as a means to modulate the applied voltage with changes in load impedance.

Various aspects of electrosurgical devices use therapeutic and/or sub-therapeutic electrical energy to treat tissue. Some aspects may be utilized in robotic applications. Some aspects may be adapted for use in a hand operated manner. In one non-limiting example, an electrosurgical device may include a proximal handle, a distal working end or end effector, and an introducer or elongated shaft disposed in-between.

In some non-limiting medical procedures, the electrosurgical device may be used to weld or seal vessels prior to tissue resection. Such vessels also may be removed as part of procedures to resect other tissue such as cysts, tumors, or infected materials. Blood vessel sealing may reduce bleeding, thereby decreasing potential harmful effects during a resection procedure. In such procedures, vessels may be cut at the cauterization location. It may be understood that complete sealing may be required at the site of the cut to prevent bleeding. It is therefore useful to have an electrosurgical device that may be prevented from cutting a vessel until complete sealing is assured.

To properly seal vessels, two mechanical parameters that affect thickness of the sealed vessel may be accurately controlled: the pressure applied to the vessel and the gap between the electrodes. Proper sealing may require that sufficient pressure is placed on the vessel to assure that the vessel walls are proximate to each other and no intervening gap remains therebetween. The vessel may be compressed to a pressure within a predetermined range. A typical range of appropriate pressures may be between about 30 pounds per square inch (about 0.2 MPa) and about 250 pounds per square inch (about 1.7 MPa). In addition, proper sealing may require that sufficient power is provided to assure that the vessel walls receive sufficient heat to weld the walls together. Thus, both tissue compression and tissue cauterization may be required to form a proper seal. These can be achieved by the jaw members of the end effector. As mentioned above, the jaw members may grasp, compress, and deliver the energy to the tissue.

To effectively carry out hemostasis, the jaw members should efficiently conduct a proper current flow through the grasped tissue. When that current is insufficient, coagulation of the tissue or vessel may be compromised. When the current is excessive, correspondingly excessive heating may occur with a potential for the generation of damaging electrical arcing. Excessive heating may result in the phenomenon of tissue and blood coagulum sticking to the surface of the jaw members. This may result in increased electrical impedance between the electrodes of the device and the tissue that may subsequently be grasped for the purpose of treatment. Such sticking tissue may evoke a disruption of the coagulated surface, which in itself may compromise the intended hemostatic effect. The end effector may incorporate highly polished electrode surfaces for the purpose of reducing the extent of tissue sticking as well as to facilitate their cleaning when sticking does occur.

When grasping tissue, the jaw members may come into mutual contact, causing a short circuit. For example, when a small tissue component is grasped between the jaw members and/or when the jaw members are compressed hard, the electrodes may be in contact with each other in the vicinity of the grasped tissue, causing short-circuiting. The jaw members may include insulative coatings that may be in contact in some geometry.

In various aspects, an electrically conductive gap setting member may be provided between the jaw members. The electrically conductive gap setting member may be affixed on and/or integral to one jaw member and extend to the other jaw member. The electrically conductive gap setting member may protrude through the jaw member. The electrically conductive gap setting member may define a gap between the jaw members. The electrically conductive gap setting member may be electrically conductive. The gap setting member may be made of a material that is electrically conductive and also is stiff to resist deformation in response to an applied force. The electrically conductive gap setting member may be sized and configured to avoid short-circuiting between the opposing electrodes and/or ensure that the electrodes would not close enough to arc without the presence of tissue between the electrodes.

According to various aspects, an end effector may include an electrically insulative member between the jaw members. The electrically insulative member may be provided on at least one of the jaw members. A jaw member may have a surface. The electrically insulative member may have a surface that is co-planar with the surface of the jaw member. A top surface of the at least one electrically insulative member may be round, square, rectangle, oval, or any other suitable shape. In some aspects where there is more than one electrically insulative member, the electrically insulative members may each have the same shape or different shapes with any combination of various shapes.

In various aspects, there may be more than one electrically insulative member. The electrically insulative members may have different shapes and/or sizes. All or some of the electrically insulative members may change shapes and/or sizes along the length of the electrodes. The electrically insulative members may have increasing or decreasing sizes along the length of the electrodes. The electrically insulative members may change shapes and/or sizes in a regular fashion or randomly.

In various aspects, the electrodes on the surfaces of the jaw members may be made of metal. The exposed portions of the surfaces of the jaw members may have smooth surfaces to minimize sticking to tissue or coagulum and to facilitate their cleaning when tissue debris or coagulum does accumulate. The surfaces of the jaw members may include thermally conductive components such as copper, silver, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, or any other thermally conductive materials that may occur to those skilled in the art. Laminar composites coated with a biocompatible metal coating may be applied to the surfaces. The jaw members may include laminar composites of thermally conductive copper and a mechanically stronger material, particularly, higher modulus stainless steel. Biocompatibility of the jaw members may be maintained through an electro-deposited biocompatible metal coating, such as chromium, that coats both the stainless steel and copper laminate while not affecting the electrically insulative members. In some non-limiting examples, for end effectors with small jaw members, for example, having a width of about 0.039″ (1 mm) at their tip, laminar composites having a layer of 304 stainless steel of thickness of about 0.011″ and a corresponding layer of copper having about 0.052″ thickness may be provided. For larger jaw members, laminar composites having a layer of 304 stainless steel of thickness about 0.015″ and a corresponding layer of copper having about 0.075″ to about 0.085″ thickness may be provided. The biocompatible coating may be provided, for example, as an electro-deposited chromium coating, for example, that identified as MED-COAT 2000 marketed by Electrolyzing Corporation of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio 44112. This biocompatible coating is described as meeting or exceeding USP Class VI certification.

The at least one electrically insulative member may be made of electrically insulative material. The electrically insulative material may be alumina, ceramic, nylon, polyphthalamide (PPA), TEFLON, polyimide, parylene, any other suitable material, and/or any combinations thereof. In various aspects, smooth metal surfaces may be provided on the surfaces of the jaw members to reduce sticking of tissue or coagulum and these surfaces may be coated with an electrically conductive non-stick coating. Top surfaces of the at least one electrically insulative member may be coated with electrically insulative non-stick coating material.

In various aspects, the length of the jaw members may be set for the particular application in surgery. For example, the length of the jaw members of about 0.4″ or 0.5″ to about 0.75″, such as about 0.47″ (12 mm), may be used for smaller anatomical structures or fine work. For larger anatomical structures, the length of the jaw members may be about 1″ or greater, for example, about 1.57″ (40 mm).

The at least one electrically insulative member may have an appropriate diameter such that the electrically insulative member is neither so small as to pierce tissue nor so large as to take away too much of the electrode surface. The minimum diameter of the electrically insulative member may be about 0.03125″ ( 1/32″) as a member of this diameter may not pierce tissue unless the pressure applied on the tissue from the member is very high. If too much of the electrode surface is taken away by the electrically insulative member or members, there may be too little of the electrode surface and therefore, too little of the electrically conductive area adjacent to the electrically insulative member/members, and the electrosurgical device and/or the electrodes may not achieve the requisite performance. In some aspects, there is more than one electrically insulative member or members and may have the same or different diameters of any combination.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols and reference characters typically identify similar components throughout the several views, unless context dictates otherwise.

FIG. 1A shows an electrosurgical instrument 100 in electrical communication with a generator 101, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The electrosurgical instrument 100 may be configurable with a flexible circuit 102 according to various aspects. The electrosurgical instrument 100 may comprise an elongate member 103, such as a shaft 104, having a proximal portion 105 coupled to a handle assembly 106. A distal portion 107 of the elongate member 103 may comprise an end effector 108 (see FIG. 1B) coupled to a distal end of the shaft 104. In some aspects, the end effector 108 may comprise a first jaw member 109 a and a second jaw member 109 b, each having an outer portion or surface 110 a, 110 b. At least one of the first jaw member 109 a and the second jaw member 109 b may move relative to the shaft 104. There may be only one jaw movable relative to the shaft 104, and the other jaw may be fixed relative to the shaft 104. At least one of the first jaw member 109 a and the second jaw member 109 b may be rotatably movable relative to the other along a path shown by arrow J to transition the first and second jaw members 109 a, 109 b between open and closed positions. In operation, the first and second jaw members 109 a, 109 b may be transitioned from the open position to a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. Captured tissue may contact one or more working portions of the jaw set 111 a, 111 b configured to apply energy to treat target tissue located at or near the end effector 108.

The type of energy may take various forms and includes, without limitation, monopolar and/or bipolar RF energy, microwave energy, reversible and/or irreversible electroporation energy, and/or ultrasonic energy, or any combination thereof. The handle assembly 106 may comprise a housing 112 defining a grip 113. In various aspects, the handle includes one or more control interfaces 114 a-c, e.g., a button or switch 114 a, rotation knob 114 b rotatable along arrow R, and a trigger 114 c movable relative to the grip 113 along arrow T, configured to provide operation instructions to the end effector 108. Multiple buttons, knobs, or triggers described also may be included as part of the housing 112 in order to manipulate one or more of the functioning members at the end effector 108. In some aspects, the handle assembly 106 may be further configured to electrically couple to a generator 101 to supply the electrosurgical instrument 100 with energy.

The generator 101 may be connected to the electrosurgical instrument 100 via a suitable transmission medium such as a cable 115. In one example, the generator 101 may be coupled to a controller, such as a control unit 116, for example. In various aspects, the control unit 116 may be made integrally with the generator 101, or may be provided as a separate circuit module or device electrically coupled to the generator 101 (shown in phantom to illustrate this option). The control unit 116 may include automated or manually operated controls to control the amount of current delivered by the generator 101 to the electrosurgical instrument 100. Although, as presently disclosed, the generator 101 is shown separate from the electrosurgical instrument 100, in some aspects, the generator 101 (and/or the control unit 116) may be made integrally with the electrosurgical instrument 100 to form a unitary electrosurgical system where a battery located within the electrosurgical instrument 100 may be the energy source and a circuit coupled to the battery produces the suitable electrical energy, ultrasonic energy, or heat energy. While the generator 101 is illustrated as generally coupled to the handle assembly 106, e.g., with a cord, it is to be understood that in some aspects the generator 101 may be positioned within the elongate member 103 and/or the handle assembly 106. For example, in one aspect, the generator 101 comprises one or more direct current batteries positioned in the handle assembly 106, shaft 104, or a portion thereof.

In one aspect, the generator 101 may comprise an input device located on a front panel of the generator 101. The input device may comprise any suitable device that generates signals suitable for programming the operation of the generator 101, such as a keyboard, or input port, for example. In one example, one or more electrodes in the first jaw 109 a and one or more electrodes in the second jaw member 109 b may be coupled to the generator 101. The cable 115 may comprise multiple electrical conductors for the application of electrical energy to a first electrode (which may be designated as a + electrode) and to a second electrode (which may be designated as a − electrode) of the electrosurgical instrument 100. It may be recognized that + and − designations are made solely for convenience and do not indicate an electrical polarity. An end of each of the conductors may be placed in electrical communication with a terminal of the generator 101. The generator 101 may have multiple terminals, each configured to contact one or more of the conductors. The control unit 116 may be used to activate the generator 101, which may serve as an electrical source. In various aspects, the generator 101 may comprise an RF source, an ultrasonic source, a direct current source, and/or any other suitable type of electrical energy source, for example, one which may be activated independently or simultaneously. In various aspects, the cable 115 may comprise at least one supply conductor 117 and at least one return conductor 118, wherein current can be supplied to the electrosurgical instrument 100 via the at least one supply conductor 117 and wherein the current can flow back to the generator 101 via the at least one return conductor 118. In various aspects, the at least one supply conductor 117 and the at least one return conductor 118 may comprise insulated wires and/or any other suitable type of conductor. As described below, the at least one supply conductor 117 and the at least one return conductor 118 may be contained within and/or may comprise the cable 115 extending between, or at least partially between, the generator 101 and the end effector 108 of the electrosurgical instrument 100. The generator 101 can be configured to apply a sufficient voltage differential between the supply conductor 117 and the return conductor 118 such that sufficient current can be supplied to the end effector 108 to perform the intended electrosurgical operation.

In one example, the generator 101 may be implemented as an electrosurgery unit (ESU) capable of supplying power sufficient to perform bipolar electrosurgery using RF energy. In one example, the ESU can be a Force Triad™ Energy Platform sold by Medtronic of Boulder Colo. In some aspects, such as for bipolar electrosurgery applications, an electrosurgical instrument 100 having an active electrode and a return electrode can be utilized, wherein the active electrode and the return electrode can be positioned against, adjacent to, and/or in electrical communication with the tissue to be treated such that current can flow from the active electrode through the PTC bodies and to the return electrode through the tissue. Thus, in various aspects, the electrosurgical system may comprise a supply path and a return path, wherein the captured tissue being treated completes, or closes, the circuit. In other aspects, the generator 101 may provide sub-therapeutic RF energy levels for purposes of evaluating tissue conditions and providing feedback in the electrosurgical system. Such feedback may be employed to control the therapeutic RF energy output of the electrosurgical instrument 100. Sub-therapeutic RF energy levels may be used for bipolar surgical procedures if a risk analysis shows the possibility of neuromuscular stimulation has been mitigated to an acceptable level. Under some conditions, frequencies above 5 MHz may not be used in order to minimize problems associated with high frequency leakage currents. However, higher frequencies may be used in the case of bipolar techniques. It is generally recognized that 10 mA is the lower threshold of thermal effects on tissue.

During operation of electrosurgical instrument 100, the user generally grasps tissue, supplies energy to the grasped tissue to form a weld or a seal (e.g., by an actuating button and/or pedal), and then drives a tissue-cutting member at the distal end of the electrosurgical instrument through the grasped tissue. According to various aspects, a jaw-closing member may be provided, and the translation of the axial movement of the jaw-closing member may be paced, or otherwise controlled, to aid in driving the jaw-closing member at a suitable rate of travel. By controlling the rate of travel, the likelihood that the captured tissue has been properly and functionally sealed prior to transection with the cutting member may be increased.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one example of an end effector 108 of a surgical instrument system 100. The end effector 108 may comprise a first jaw member 109 a and a second jaw member 109 b. As depicted in FIG. 2, the first jaw member 109 a may be configured to move relative to the second jaw member 109 b, and the second jaw member 109 b may remain effectively in a fixed geometry with respect to shaft 104. It may be understood that in an alternative example, the second jaw member 109 b may be configured to move relative to the first jaw member 109 a, and the first jaw member 109 a may remain effectively in a fixed geometry with respect to shaft 104.

FIG. 2 further depicts at least a portion of the working portion 111 a of the first jaw member 109 a and at least a portion of the working portion 111 b of the second jaw member 109 b. The working portion 111 a of the first jaw member 109 a may include at least a first electrode 220 a. The working portion 111 b of the second jaw member 109 b may comprise at least a layered structure that may include, without limitation, an insulating layer 210 and a second electrode 220 b.

The electrodes 220 a,b may comprise an electrically conducting material. In various aspects, the electrodes 220 a,b of the jaw members 109 a,b, respectively, may be made of metal. The surfaces of the jaw members 109 a,b may include thermally conductive components such as copper, silver, aluminum, tungsten, nickel, or any other thermally conductive materials that may occur to those skilled in the art. Laminar composites coated with a biocompatible metal coating may be applied to the surfaces. The jaw members 109 a,b may include laminar composites of thermally conductive copper and a mechanically stronger material, particularly, higher modulus stainless steel. Biocompatibility of the jaw members 109 a,b may be maintained through an electro-deposited biocompatible metal coating, such as chromium, that coats both the stainless steel and copper laminate. In some non-limiting examples, for end effectors 108 with small jaw members 109 a,b, for example, having a width of about 0.039″ (1 mm) at their tip, laminar composites having a layer of 304 stainless steel of thickness of about 0.011″ and a corresponding layer of copper having about 0.052″ thickness may be provided. For larger jaw members 109 a,b, laminar composites having a layer of 304 stainless steel of thickness about 0.015″ and a corresponding layer of copper having about 0.075″ to about 0.085″ thickness may be provided. The biocompatible coating may be provided, for example, as an electro-deposited chromium coating, for example, that identified as MED-COAT 2000 marketed by Electrolyzing Corporation of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio 44112. This biocompatible coating is described as meeting or exceeding USP Class VI certification.

In one example, the second electrode 220 b may have a U-shape that surrounds a knife channel 230, in which a knife may be disposed to reciprocate. The second electrode 220 b may have a flat surface 222 that may be disposed against a tissue when the jaw members 109 a,b are brought into a proximal position.

The insulating layer 210 may comprise an electrically insulative material. Without limitation, the electrically insulative material may be composed of an alumina, a ceramic, a nylon, a polyphthalamide (PPA), a TEFLON material, a polyimide, a parylene, any other suitable electrically insulative material, and/or any combination or combinations thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the second electrode 220 b may be deposited on or otherwise be placed in direct physical communication with the insulating layer 210. Insulating pads 215 a-f may be formed on a top surface of the second electrode 220 b. Alternatively, each of the insulating pads 215 a-f may have a top surface that is co-planar with a surface 222 of the second electrode 220 b. For example, the insulating pads 215 a-f may comprise a portion of the insulating layer 210 and the second electrode 220 b may be fabricated to cover a top surface of the insulating layer 210 and to at least partially surround at least one side of each of the insulating pads 215 a-f. In some examples, the second electrode 220 b may be fabricated so that the material comprising the second electrode 220 b completely surrounds the sides of the insulating pads 215 a-f so that only a top surface of each of the insulating pads 215 is exposed.

There may be a single insulating pad 215 or there may be multiple insulating pads 215 a-f. The insulating pads 215 a-f may be placed along a single side of the second electrode 220 b (for example, insulating pads 215 a-f along an inner side of a U-shaped second electrode 220 b) or along multiple sides of the second electrode 220 b (for example, along an inner side and along an outer side of a U-shaped second electrode 220 b). Multiple insulating pads 215 a-f may have the same dimensions (for example length and/or width) or may have differing dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the pair of insulating pads 215 a,d of the second electrode 220 b that are proximal to a joint in the end effector 108 may be longer and/or wider than a pair of insulating pads 215 b,e located in a medial section of the second electrode 220 b. Similarly, the pair of insulating pads 215 b,e in a medial section of the second electrode 220 b may be longer and/or wider than a pair of insulating pads 215 c,f located in a distal section of the second electrode 220 b. It may be understood that no limitations are implied regarding the relative dimensions among the multiple insulating pads 215 a-f. Multiple insulating pads 215 a-f may be equally spaced along a side of the second electrode 220 b or may be variably spaced along a side of the second electrode 220 b. The insulating pads 215 a-f may have any shape appropriate to the function of the insulating pads 215 a-f including, without limitation, a circular or partially circular shape, an elliptical or partially elliptical shape, an oval or partially oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. The insulating pads 215 a-f may all have the same shape or may have differing shapes.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the second jaw member 109 b of the example of an end effector 108 depicted in FIG. 2. The second jaw member 109 b may be comprised of an electrode assembly layer 307 that may be in mechanical communication with a jaw frame 319. The electrode assembly layer 307 may be affixed to (non-removable from) the jaw frame 319. Alternatively, the electrode assembly layer 307 may be removably associated with the jaw frame 319. A removable electrode assembly layer 307 may be useful to permit the removable electrode assembly layer 307 to be removed for replacement purposes (if damaged) or for cleaning purposes (if fouling occurs). A health professional may also choose among a variety of configurations of removable electrode assembly layers 307 depending on the requirements of a particular surgical intervention.

FIGS. 4A-C depict multiple views of the second jaw member 109 b and aspects of its components. FIG. 4A depicts one aspect of a jaw frame 319 which may form a component of second jaw member 109 b. The jaw frame 319 may be in mechanical communication with electrode assembly layer 307, depicted in FIG. 4B. In one aspect, the jaw frame 319 may be configured to stabilize the electrode assembly layer 307 of the second jaw member 109 b against the first jaw member 109 a when the jaw members 109 a,b are placed in a proximate configuration, for example when compressing and cauterizing a piece of tissue. The electrode assembly layer 307 may comprise a second electrode 220 b having a second electrode surface 222 placed in mechanical communication with insulating layer 210. FIG. 4C is an exploded view of the second jaw member 109 b depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 4C illustrates an aspect of the second jaw member 109 b comprising a second electrode 220 b having a second electrode surface 222, an insulating layer 210, and a jaw frame 319. In one example, the insulating layer 210 may comprise one or more insulating pads 215 a-f. The second electrode 220 b may have cut-outs 226 a-f, each cut-out 226 configured to accept an insulating pad 215 so that the surface of each of the insulating pads 215 a-f is co-planar with the surface 222 of the second electrode 220 b.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first example of a first jaw member 509 that may be incorporated into an end effector 108 (see FIG. 2) of an electrosurgical instrument 100 (see FIG. 1). The working portion of the first jaw member 509 may include a first jaw assembly 519 including a first electrode 520 having a surface 522 configured to contact a portion of a tissue when the first jaw member 509 is brought into a proximal position with respect to a second jaw member (for example, see 109 b of FIG. 2). As depicted in FIG. 5, the surface 522 of the exemplary first jaw member 509 may comprise a primarily flat surface. The first jaw member 509 may also include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate. Additionally, the first electrode 520 may incorporate features including one or more raised bosses 515 a-f.

There may be a single raised boss 515 or there may be multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. The raised bosses 515 a-f may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 520 (for example, raised bosses 515 a-f along an inner side of a U-shaped first electrode 520) or along multiple sides of the first electrode 520 (for example, along an inner side and along an outer side of a U-shaped first electrode 520). Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may have the same dimensions (for example length and/or width) or may have differing dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the pair of raised bosses 515 a,d of the first electrode 520 that are proximate to a proximal joint in the end effector may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 b,e located in a medial section of the first electrode 520. Similarly, the pair of raised bosses 515 b,e in a medial section of the first electrode 520 may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 c,f located in a distal section of the first electrode 520. It may be understood that no limitations are implied regarding the relative dimensions among the multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may be equally spaced along a side of the first electrode 520 or may be variably spaced along a side of the first electrode 520. The raised bosses 515 a-f may have any shape appropriate to the function of the raised bosses 515 a-f including, without limitation, a circular or partially circular shape, an elliptical or partially elliptical shape, an oval or partially oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. The raised bosses 515 a-f may all have the same shape or may have differing shapes. The raised bosses 515 a-f may be conducting or non-conducting. Conducting raised bosses 515 a-f may be in electrical communication with the first electrode 520 and may have the same electrical polarity as the first electrode 520. Alternatively, non-conducting raised bosses 515 a-f may not be in electrical communication with the first electrode 520 and may lack an electrical polarity with respect to either the first electrode 520 or a second electrode (for example 220 b in FIGS. 4A-C).

Each of the raised bosses 515 a-f may be configured to engage one of the multiple insulating pads 215 a-f (see FIG. 2) when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b. It may be understood that the term “engage” in this context may include forming a direct physical contact between a surface of a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215. However, the term “engage” in this context may also include a raised boss 515 and a mating insulating pad 215 being brought into a proximate but non-contacting position, for example when a piece of tissue is compressed between a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215 when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b.

FIGS. 6A-C are top, side, and bottom plan views, respectively, of the example of the first jaw member 509 depicted in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 509 depicted in FIG. 6C taken along line 7-7. The longitudinal cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 7 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 as well as cross-sectional views of the raised bosses 515 d,e,f of first jaw member 509. FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 509 depicted in FIG. 6C taken along line 8-8. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530, cross-sectional views of raised bosses 515 c,f, and the essentially flat surface 522 of the first electrode of first jaw member 509.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a first example of a first jaw member 909 that may be incorporated into an end effector 108 (see FIG. 2) of an electrosurgical instrument 100 (see FIG. 1). The working portion of the first jaw member 909 may include a first jaw assembly 919 including a first electrode 920 having a surface 922. As depicted in FIG. 9, at least a portion of the surface 922 of the exemplary first electrode 920 may comprise a flat surface. The first jaw member 909 may also include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate.

Additionally, the first electrode 920 may incorporate features, for example one or more raised ridges 923. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 9, the first electrode 920 includes a single, U-shaped raised ridge 923 vertically protruding above the surface 922 and which may surround the knife channel 530. Alternatively, the first electrode 920 may include one or more raised ridges 923. The raised ridges 923 may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 920 or along multiple sides of the first electrode 920. Multiple raised ridges 923 may have the same dimensions (for example vertical extent above the electrode surface 922) or may have differing dimensions. The one or more raised ridges 923 may be parallel to each other and may be parallel to, and on opposing sides of, the knife channel 530. It may be recognized that the depiction of the one or more raised ridges 923 in FIG. 9 is not considered limiting either in number, shape, length, height, or width of the one or more raised ridges 923, or their disposition about the first electrode 920. Thus, there may be one, two, three or any number of such raised ridges 923. The one or more raised ridges 923 may have the same length, width, or height or have independently differing lengths, widths or heights in any combination thereof. Further, the one or more raised ridges 923 may be disposed on opposing sides of the knife channel 530, or on any one side of the knife channel 530. Multiple one or more raised ridges 923 may be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically about the knife channel 530. Multiple one or more raised ridges 923 may be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other, or may not be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other. While the one or more raised ridges 923 depicted in FIG. 9 are shown as linear ridges, such a shape is not limiting. Thus, alternative aspects of the one or more raised ridges 923 may include linear ridges, curved ridges, a combination of linear and curved ridges, or ridges including multiple linear and/or curved segments. Further, multiple one or more raised ridges 923 may have the same shape or differing shapes.

Additional features may include one or more raised bosses 915 a-f wherein each of the raised bosses 915 a-f extends vertically from a surface of one or more the raised ridges 923. It may be understood that the first electrode 920, the electrode surface 922, the one or more raised ridges 923, and the raised bosses 915 a-f, may all be in mutual electrical communication. As a result, a voltage applied to the first electrode 920 may be equally applied to each of the first electrode surface 922, the one or more raised ridges 923, and the raised bosses 915 a-f. Alternatively, one or more of the first electrode surface 922, the one or more raised ridges 923, and the raised bosses 915 a-f may be electrically insulated from any of the other components of the first jaw assembly 919. It may also be understood that the components of the first jaw assembly 919 may be configured to contact a portion of a tissue when the first jaw member 909 is brought into a proximal position with respect to a second jaw member (for example, see 109 b of FIG. 2). The components of the first jaw assembly 919 that may be configured to contact the portion of tissue may include any one or more of the first electrode surface 922, the one or more raised ridges 923, and the raised bosses 915 a-f.

There may be a single raised boss 915 or there may be multiple raised bosses 915 a-f. The raised bosses 915 a-f may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 920 (for example, raised bosses 915 a-f along an inner side of a U-shaped first electrode 920) or along multiple sides of the first electrode 920 (for example, along an inner side and along an outer side of a U-shaped first electrode 920). Multiple raised bosses 915 a-f may have the same dimensions (for example length and/or width) or may have differing dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the pair of raised bosses 915 a,d of the second electrode 920 that are proximate to a proximal joint in the end effector may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 915 b,e located in a medial section of the first electrode 920. Similarly, the pair of raised bosses 915 b,e in a medial section of the first electrode 920 may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 915 c,f located in a distal section of the first electrode 920. It may be understood that no limitations are implied regarding the relative dimensions among the multiple raised bosses 915 a-f. Multiple raised bosses 915 a-f may be equally spaced along a side of the first electrode 920 or may be variably spaced along a side of the first electrode 920. The raised bosses 915 a-f may have any shape appropriate to the function of the raised bosses 915 a-f including, without limitation, a circular or partially circular shape, an elliptical or partially elliptical shape, an oval or partially oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. The raised bosses 515 a-f may all have the same shape or may have differing shapes.

Each of the raised bosses 915 a-f may be configured to engage one of the multiple insulating pads 215 a-f (see FIG. 2) when the first jaw member 909 is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b. It may be understood that the term “engage” in this context may include forming a direct physical contact between a surface of a raised boss 915 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215. However, the term “engage” in this context may also include a raised boss 915 and a mating insulating pad 215 being brought into a proximate but non-contacting position, for example when a piece of tissue is compressed between a raised boss 915 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215 when the first jaw member 909 is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b.

FIGS. 10A-C are top, side, and bottom plan views, respectively, of the example of the first jaw member 909 depicted in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 909 depicted in FIG. 10C taken along line 11-11. The longitudinal cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 11 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 as well as cross-sectional views of the raised bosses 915 d,e,f of first jaw member 909. FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 509 depicted in FIG. 10C taken along line 12-12. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530, cross-sectional views of raised bosses 915 c,f, the essentially flat surface 522 of the first electrode of first jaw member 909 as well as the surface of the one or more raised ridges 923.

FIG. 13 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the first jaw member depicted in FIG. 9. Similar to the working portion of the first jaw member 909 as depicted in FIG. 9, at least a portion of the surface 922 of the exemplary first electrode 920 may comprise a flat surface. The first jaw member 909 may also include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate. Additionally, the first electrode 920 may incorporate features, for example one or more raised ridges 923 similar to those as depicted in FIG. 9. For example, the first electrode 920 may include a single, U-shaped raised ridge 923 vertically protruding above the surface 922 and which may surround the knife channel 530. Alternatively, the first electrode 920 may include multiple raised ridges 923. The raised ridges 923 may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 920 or along multiple sides of the first electrode 920. Multiple raised ridges 923 may have the same dimensions (for example vertical extent above the electrode surface 922) or may have differing dimensions. However, the first electrode 920 as depicted in FIG. 13 lacks the one or more raised bosses 915 a-f extending vertically from a surface of one or more the raised ridges 923 as depicted in FIG. 9. It may be understood that the first electrode 920, the electrode surface 922, and the one or more raised ridges 923, may all be in mutual electrical communication.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first example of a first jaw member 1409 that may be incorporated into an end effector 108 (see FIG. 2) of an electrosurgical instrument 100 (see FIG. 1). The working portion of the first jaw member 1409 may include a first jaw assembly 1419 including a first electrode 1420 having a surface 1422 configured to contact a portion of a tissue when the first jaw member 1409 is brought into a proximal position with respect to a second jaw member (for example, see 109 b of FIG. 2). As depicted in FIG. 14, the surface 1422 of the exemplary first jaw member 1409 may comprise a primarily flat surface. The first jaw member 1409 may also include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate.

Additionally, the first electrode 1420 may incorporate features, for example one or more longitudinal channels 1423 a,b that may be fabricated in a surface 1422 of the first electrode 1420. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 14, the first electrode 1420 includes multiple longitudinal channels 1423 a,b vertically fabricated within the surface 1422. The longitudinal channels 1423 a,b depicted in FIG. 14 are depicted as linear longitudinal channels 1423 a,b extending along a longitudinal extent of the first electrode 1420. The linear longitudinal channels 1423 a,b may be parallel to each other and may be parallel to, and on opposing sides of, the knife channel 530. It may be recognized that the depiction of the longitudinal channels 1423 a,b in FIG. 14 is not considered limiting either in number, shape, length, depth, or width of the longitudinal channels 1423, or their disposition about the first electrode 1420. Thus, there may be one, two, three or any number of such longitudinal channels 1423. The longitudinal channels 1423 may have the same length, width, or depth or have independently differing lengths, widths or depths in any combination thereof. Further, the longitudinal channels 1423 may be disposed on opposing sides of the knife channel 530, or on any one side of the knife channel 530. Multiple longitudinal channels 1423 may be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically about the knife channel 530. Multiple longitudinal channels 1423 may be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other, or may not be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other. While the longitudinal channels 1423 depicted in FIG. 14 are shown as linear channels, such a shape is not limiting. Thus, alternative aspects of the longitudinal channels 1423 may include linear channels, curved channels, a combination of linear and curved channels, or channels including multiple linear and/or curved segments. Further, multiple longitudinal channels 1423 may have the same shape or differing shapes.

Additionally, the first electrode 1420 may incorporate features including one or more raised bosses 515 a-f. There may be a single raised boss 515 or there may be multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. The raised bosses 515 a-f may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 1420 (for example, raised bosses 515 a-f along an inner side of a U-shaped first electrode 1420) or along multiple sides of the first electrode 1420 (for example, along an inner side and along an outer side of a U-shaped first electrode 1420). Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may have the same dimensions (for example length and/or width) or may have differing dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the pair of raised bosses 515 a,d of the first electrode 1420 that are proximate to a proximal joint in the end effector may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 b,e located in a medial section of the first electrode 1420. Similarly, the pair of raised bosses 515 b,e in a medial section of the first electrode 1420 may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 c,f located in a distal section of the first electrode 1420. It may be understood that no limitations are implied regarding the relative dimensions among the multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may be equally spaced along a side of the first electrode 1420 or may be variably spaced along a side of the first electrode 1420. The raised bosses 515 a-f may have any shape appropriate to the function of the raised bosses 515 a-f including, without limitation, a circular or partially circular shape, an elliptical or partially elliptical shape, an oval or partially oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. The raised bosses 515 a-f may all have the same shape or may have differing shapes.

Each of the raised bosses 515 a-f may be configured to engage one of the multiple insulating pads 215 a-f (see FIG. 2) when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b. It may be understood that the term “engage” in this context may include forming a direct physical contact between a surface of a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215. However, the term “engage” in this context may also include a raised boss 515 and a mating insulating pad 215 being brought into a proximate but non-contacting position, for example when a piece of tissue is compressed between a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215 when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b.

FIGS. 15A-C are top, side, and bottom plan views, respectively, of the example of the first jaw member 1409 depicted in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 1409 depicted in FIG. 15C taken along line 16-16. The longitudinal cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 16 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 as well as cross-sectional views of the raised bosses 515 d,e,f of first jaw member 1409. FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 1409 depicted in FIG. 15C taken along line 17-17′. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530, cross-sectional views of raised bosses 515 b,e, the essentially flat surface 1422 of the first electrode 1420 of first jaw member 1409 as well as the surface of the one or more longitudinal channels 1423 a,b.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first example of a first jaw member 1809 that may be incorporated into an end effector 108 (see FIG. 2) of an electrosurgical instrument 100 (see FIG. 1). The working portion of the first jaw member 1809 may include a first jaw assembly 1819 including a first electrode 1820 having a surface 1822 configured to contact a portion of a tissue when the first jaw member 1809 is brought into a proximal position with respect to a second jaw member (for example, see 109 b of FIG. 2). As depicted in FIG. 18, the surface 1822 of the exemplary first jaw member 1809 may comprise a primarily flat surface. The first jaw member 1809 may also include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate.

Additionally, the first electrode 1820 may incorporate features, for example one or more transverse channels 1823 that may be fabricated in a surface 1822 of the first electrode 1820. For the sake of clarity, not all of the transverse channels 1823 are labeled in FIG. 18. Nevertheless, one may understand that all such transverse channels depicted in FIG. 18, labeled or not, are included in this disclosure. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 18, the first electrode 1820 includes multiple transverse channels 1823 vertically fabricated within the surface 1822. The transverse channels 1823 depicted in FIG. 18 are depicted as linear transverse channels 1823 extending along a transverse extent of the first electrode 1820. The linear transverse channels 1823 may be parallel to each other and may be orthogonal to the knife channel 530. It may be recognized that the depiction of the transverse channels 1823 in FIG. 18 is not considered limiting either in number, shape, length, depth, or width of the transverse channels 1823, or their disposition about the first electrode 1820. Thus, there may be one, two, three or any number of such transverse channels 1823. The transverse channels 1823 may have the same length, width, or depth or have independently differing lengths, widths or depths in any combination thereof. Further, the transverse channels 1823 may be disposed on opposing sides of the knife channel 530, or on any one side of the knife channel 530. Multiple transverse channels 1823 may be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically about the knife channel 530. Multiple transverse channels 1823 may be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other, or may not be disposed in a mutually parallel orientation to each other. While the transverse channels 1823 depicted in FIG. 18 are shown as linear channels, such a shape is not limiting. Thus, alternative aspects of the transverse channels 1823 may include linear channels, curved channels, a combination of linear and curved channels, or channels including multiple linear and/or curved segments. Further, multiple transverse channels 1823 may have the same shape or differing shapes.

Additionally, the first electrode 1820 may incorporate features including one or more raised bosses 515 a-f. There may be a single raised boss 515 or there may be multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. The raised bosses 515 a-f may be placed along a single side of the first electrode 1820 (for example, raised bosses 515 a-f along an inner side of a U-shaped first electrode 1820) or along multiple sides of the first electrode 1820 (for example, along an inner side and along an outer side of a U-shaped first electrode 1820). Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may have the same dimensions (for example length and/or width) or may have differing dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the pair of raised bosses 515 a,d of the first electrode 1820 that are proximate to a proximal joint in the end effector may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 b,e located in a medial section of the first electrode 1420. Similarly, the pair of raised bosses 515 b,e in a medial section of the first electrode 1820 may be longer and/or wider than a pair of raised bosses 515 c,f located in a distal section of the first electrode 1820. It may be understood that no limitations are implied regarding the relative dimensions among the multiple raised bosses 515 a-f. Multiple raised bosses 515 a-f may be equally spaced along a side of the first electrode 1820 or may be variably spaced along a side of the first electrode 1820. The raised bosses 515 a-f may have any shape appropriate to the function of the raised bosses 515 a-f including, without limitation, a circular or partially circular shape, an elliptical or partially elliptical shape, an oval or partially oval shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. The raised bosses 515 a-f may all have the same shape or may have differing shapes.

Each of the raised bosses 515 a-f may be configured to engage one of the multiple insulating pads 215 a-f (see FIG. 2) when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b. It may be understood that the term “engage” in this context may include forming a direct physical contact between a surface of a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215. However, the term “engage” in this context may also include a raised boss 515 and a mating insulating pad 215 being brought into a proximate but non-contacting position, for example when a piece of tissue is compressed between a raised boss 515 and a surface of a mating insulating pad 215 when the first jaw 109 a is moved proximate to the second jaw 109 b.

FIGS. 19A-C are top, side, and bottom plan views, respectively, of the example of the first jaw member 1809 depicted in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the example of the first jaw member 1809 depicted in FIG. 19C taken along line 20-20. The longitudinal cross-sectional view depicted in FIG. 20 particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 as well as cross-sectional views of the raised bosses 515 d,e,f of first jaw member 1809. Further, FIG. 20 also depicts, in cross-sectional view, multiple transverse channels 1823 taken along with views of the surface 1822 of the first electrode 1820. FIGS. 21A-C depict various transverse cross-sectional views of the example of the first jaw member 1809 depicted in FIG. 19C taken along lines 21A-21A, 21B-21B, and 21C-21C, respectively. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 21A particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 and the essentially flat surface 1822 of the first electrode 1820 of first jaw member 1809. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 21B particularly illustrates the knife channel 530, the essentially flat surface 1822 of the first electrode 1820 of first jaw member 1809, and the raised bosses 515 b,e. The transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 21C particularly illustrates the knife channel 530 and the recessed surface of transverse channel 1823 with respect to the essentially flat surface 1822 of the first electrode 1820 of first jaw member 1809.

FIGS. 5-21C and their descriptions as disclosed above present a plurality of aspects of a first jaw member 109 a comprising a plurality of features, the features configured to form a plurality of textures in the surface of the first jaw member 109 a and/or its respective first electrode 220 a. Although a plurality of aspects of such features have been disclosed herein, such aspects are not to be construed as limiting. Thus, the features may include any appropriate features that may be configured to form a texture on a surface of a jaw member or an electrode. The features may generally include raised or elevated features that extend vertically above a surface of the electrode, or depressed features that extend vertically below a surface of the electrode. No limitations, expressed or implied, are herein imposed on methods of fabricating the features.

The features may include a single feature or multiple features. The single feature or multiple features may have a limited extent, such as a boss (a raised feature) or a pit (a depressed feature). The single feature or multiple features may have a more extended extent such as a ridge (a raised feature) or a channel (a depressed feature). The single feature or multiple features—either of limited extent or of extended extent—are not limited in their respective shapes, sizes, or dimensions. The single feature or multiple features—either of limited extent or of extended extent—are not limited in their respective dispositions about the surface of the electrode. Thus, as an example, a ridge or a channel (a feature having an extended extent) may extend along an axis essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first electrode, thereby comprising a longitudinal ridge or a longitudinal channel, respectively. Alternatively, a ridge or a channel (a feature having an extended extent) may extend along an axis essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first electrode, thereby comprising a transverse ridge or a transverse channel, respectively. In yet another alternative example, a ridge or a channel (a feature having an extended extent) may extend along an axis neither essentially parallel to nor essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first electrode, thereby comprising an oblique ridge or an oblique channel, respectively.

Multiple features may include any combination or combinations of elevated and/or depressed features. Multiple features may be combined. For example, in reference to FIG. 9, a ridge, such as longitudinal ridge 923, may include additional features such as raised bosses 915 a-f extending vertically from a surface of the longitudinal ridge 923. It may be recognized that one or more ridges essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electrode (one or more transvers ridges) may also include additional features such as raised bosses extending vertically from a surface of the transverse ridge. It may also be recognized that one or more ridges neither essentially perpendicular to nor parallel to a longitudinal axis of the electrode (one or more oblique ridges) may also include additional features such as raised bosses extending vertically from a surface of the oblique ridge. Similarly, a channel, (for example a longitudinal channel, a transverse channel, or an oblique channel) having a first depth may also include, on an inner surface, a second channel having a second depth. Further, multiple features may be symmetrically disposed about the surface of the electrode or they may be asymmetrically disposed about the surface of the electrode. Multiple features—either of limited extent or of extended extent—are not limited in their dispositions about the surface of the electrode with respect to each other.

As disclosed above, and depicted in FIGS. 1-21C, an end effector may include a first jaw member and a second jaw member. In aspects disclosed above, the first jaw member may be an upper jaw member configured to move relative to a second jaw member comprising a lower jaw member when a force is applied to the end effector, wherein the second jaw member is in a relatively fixed geometry with respect to an elongated shaft. Aspects disclosed above include features configured to provide a texture to a surface (such as an electrode surface) associated with the upper and movable first jaw member. Additionally, aspects disclosed above include an essentially flat electrode comprising an electrode assembly layer associated with the lower and relatively fixed second jaw member. It may be understood that alternative aspects include a jaw assembly in which the upper jaw member is relatively fixed with respect to an elongated shaft and the lower jaw member may be configured to move relative to the fixed upper jaw member when a force is applied to the end effector. It may further be understood that the plurality of features disclosed above may be associated with the fixed jaw member as opposed to the movable jaw member. Similarly, it may be understood that the electrode assembly layer may be associated with the movable jaw member as opposed to the fixed jaw member.

As disclosed above, and depicted in FIGS. 1-21C, a end effector may include a first jaw member and a second jaw member, in which the first jaw member may include a first electrode having a first electrode surface and the second jaw member may include a second electrode having a second electrode surface. The first electrode may be placed in electrical communication with a first terminal of an RF current generator, and the second electrode may be placed in electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current generator. It may be understood that the first electrode, the first electrode surface, and any one or more features—including, without limitation, one or more raised ridges, one or more channels, and one or more raised bosses—may all be in mutual electrical communication and in electrical communication with the first terminal of the RF current generator. As a result, a voltage applied to the first electrode may be equally applied to each of the first electrode surfaces and each of the one or more features, including the one or more raised ridges, the one or more channels, and the one or more raised bosses.

FIGS. 22 and 23 depict aspects of effects of the use of a surgical instrument having a textured jaw on an exemplary blood vessel. FIG. 22 depicts a cross-sectional view of a blood vessel 2260 clamped between a first jaw assembly 109 a and a second jaw assembly 109 b of a surgical instrument. The blood vessel 2260 may comprise a lumen 2262 bounded by an intima 2264, a smooth muscle layer or tunica media, and an outer layer or adventitia 2266. The first jaw assembly 109 a is moved to a proximate position with respect to the second jaw assembly 109 b and the blood vessel 2260 is compressed therebetween. In FIG. 22, the first jaw assembly 109 a comprises a first electrode 1420 similar to that depicted in FIG. 14, and a second jaw assembly 109 b that comprises an electrode 109 b similar to that depicted in FIG. 3. Thus, FIG. 22 depicts the surface 1422 a,b,c,d of the first electrode as well as recessed surfaces of the longitudinal channels 1423 a,b. FIG. 22 also depicts the surface of the second electrode 220 b. Additionally FIG. 22 depicts the relative positions of the knife channel 530 associated with the first electrode 109 a and the knife channel 230 associated with the second electrode 109 b. For clarity, FIG. 22 omits the raised bosses 515 of first electrode 1420 or insulating pads 215 of the second jaw assembly 109 b.

As depicted in FIG. 22, a portion of the blood vessel 2260 clamped between the first jaw assembly 109 a and the second jaw assembly 109 b may be deformed so that a portion of the lumen 2262 may be in a compressed state but still patent, for example the portion of the blood vessel 2260 disposed between the channels 1423 a,b of the first jaw assembly 109 a and the surface of the second electrode 220 b. Alternatively, the lumen 2262 may be completely sealed 2268, for example in the portion the blood vessel 2260 between the surface 1422 b,c of the first electrode and the surface of the second electrode 220 b.

If the blood vessel 2260 is considered a deformable Hook's law solid, then a compressive force imparted to it by the first jaw assembly 109 a and the second jaw assembly 109 b is proportional to an amount of physical deformation of the blood vessel 2260. The amount of deformation of the blood vessel 2260, in turn, may be related to the distance between the first electrode 220 a or any of its features and the second electrode 220 b. For example, as depicted in FIG. 22, the distance 2280 between the bottom surface of channel 1423 a and the surface of the second electrode 220 b is greater than the distance 2282 between the surface of the first electrode 1422 b and the surface of the second electrode 220 b. As a result, the amount of deformation of the blood vessel 2260 compressed by the surface of channel 1423 a is less than that of the blood vessel 2260 compressed by the surface of first electrode 1422 b, and thus the compressive force produced at the channel 1423 a is less than that produced at the first electrode 1422 b. It may be understood that specific the deformations to the blood vessel 2260 depicted in FIG. 22 may result from the specific shape of the electrode 1420 and its features (for example the longitudinal channels 1423 a,b).

However, it should be recognized that a blood vessel 2260 clamped between a first jaw assembly 109 a having alternative features and the second jaw assembly 109 b may include alternative deformations arising from the geometry of those alternative features of the first electrode. For example, a first jaw assembly 909 as depicted in FIG. 9 comprises ridges 923 and raised bosses 915 a-f. It may be understood that a portion of a blood vessel compressed between first jaw assembly 909 and the second jaw assembly 109 b may experience greater compressive forces between the ridges 923 and/or the raised bosses 915 a-f and the second electrode 220 b than between the surface 922 of the first electrode 920 and the second electrode 220 b. Such greater compressive forces may arise because the distance between the raised features (the ridges 923 and/or the raised bosses 915 a-f) and the surface of the second electrode 220 b is less than the distance between the surface 922 of the first electrode 920 and the surface of the second electrode 220 b.

FIG. 23 depicts the results of the application of the surgical instrument on the blood vessel 2260. It may be observed that the lumen 2262 is generally patent and that the intima 2264, the smooth muscle layer or tunica media 2263, and the outer layer or adventitia 2266 have all assumed the generally circular cross-sectional geometry of a normal blood vessel 2260. Without being bound by theory, the result of the application of the surgical instrument may be observed in the adventitial seal 2267 that closes the wall of the blood vessel 2260. The intima 2264 may also include structures 2265 resulting from the sealing process that may act to mechanically strengthen the adventitial seal 2267 against the transverse force of blood (arrow A) developed during a cardiac systolic pumping motion.

FIG. 24 depicts a cross-sectional view of an aspect of an end effector in which both the first jaw member 109 a and the second jaw member 109 b may include complementary features configured to mold a shape of a blood vessel during compression and cauterization. The first jaw member 109 a may include a knife channel 530 through which a tissue cutting knife may reciprocate. Similarly, the second jaw member 109 b may include a knife channel 230 through which the tissue cutting knife may reciprocate.

In the aspect depicted in FIG. 24, at least a portion of the first electrode may comprise one or more first tapered portions 2422 a,b. The first tapered portions 2422 a,b may be disposed in one or more interior sections of the first jaw member 109 a, for example proximate to the knife channel 530. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 24, at least a portion of the second electrode may comprise one or more second tapered portions 2420 a,b. The second tapered portions 2420 a,b may be disposed in one or more interior sections of the second jaw member 109 b, for example proximate to the knife channel 230. When the first jaw member 109 a and the second jaw member 109 b are placed in a proximate position, for example when compressing a blood vessel therebetween, a compression zone comprising a first tapered space 2424 a and a second tapered space 2424 b may be formed. The first tapered space 2424 a may be bounded by first tapered portion 2422 a and second tapered portion 2420 a, and a second tapered space 2424 b, may be bounded by first tapered portion 2422 b and second tapered portion 2420 b. The first tapered space 2424 a may have a wider spacing towards the exterior of the jaw members 109 a,b than a spacing towards the interior of the jaw members 109 a,b. Similarly, the second tapered space 2424 b may have a wider spacing towards the exterior of the jaw members 109 a,b than a spacing towards the interior of the jaw members 109 a,b. The first tapered portions 2422 a,b may be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electrical energy to the first jaw member 109 a and the second tapered portions 2420 a,b may be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electric energy to the second jaw member 109 b.

The tapered portions 2422 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may extend along the entire length of the first jaw member 109 a or only along a portion of the length of first jaw member 109 a. Further, first jaw member 109 a may include multiple tapered portions, each tapered portion extending along a partial length of the first jaw member 109 a. Although the tapered portions 2422 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may have a linear taper, the tapered portions 2422 a,b may include alternative tapers, such as curved tapers. Additionally, the tapered portions 2420 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may extend along the entire length of the second jaw member 109 b or only along a portion of the length of second jaw member 109 b. Further, second jaw member 109 b may include multiple tapered portions, each tapered portion extending along a partial length of the second jaw member 109 b. Although the tapered portions 2420 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may have a linear taper, the tapered portions 2420 a,b may include alternative tapers, such as curved tapers.

In the aspect depicted in FIG. 24, at least a portion of the first electrode may further comprise one or more first concave portions 2423 a,b. The first concave portions 2423 a,b may be disposed adjacent to an exterior section of the first jaw member 109 a, for example proximate to the exterior edges of the first jaw member 109 a. In some aspects, the first concave portion 2423 a may be proximal to the first tapered portion 2422 a; similarly the first concave portion 2423 b may be proximal to the first tapered portion 2422 b. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 24, at least a portion of the second electrode may comprise one or more second concave portions 2421 a,b. The second concave portions 2421 a,b may be disposed adjacent to an exterior section of the second jaw member 109 b, for example proximate to the exterior edges of the second jaw member 109 b. In some aspects, the second concave portion 2421 a may be proximal to the second tapered portion 2420 a; similarly the second concave portion 2421 b may be proximal to the second tapered portion 2420 b.

When the first jaw member 109 a and the second jaw member 109 b are placed in a proximate position, for example when compressing a blood vessel therebetween, a first mold zone 2425 a and a second mold zone 2425 b may be formed. The first mold zone 2425 a may be bounded by first concave portion 2423 a and second concave portion 2421 a, and a second mold zone 2425 b, may be bounded by first concave portion 2423 b and second concave portion 2421 b. The first concave portions 2423 a,b may be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electrical energy to the first jaw member 109 a and the second concave portions 2421 a,b may be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electric energy to the second jaw member 109 b. Alternatively, the first concave portions 2423 a,b may not be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electrical energy to the first jaw member 109 a. Additionally, the second concave portions 2421 a,b may not be in electrical communication with a conductor providing electrical energy to the first jaw member 109 b. Concave portions 2423 a,b and/or concave portions 2421 a,b that are not in electrical communication with conductors providing electrical energy to the first jaw member 109 a and/or second jaw member 109 b, may nevertheless be in thermal communication with their respective tapered portions (2422 a,b and 2420 a,b, respectively). Thus, concave portion 2423 a may be in thermal communication with tapered portion 2422 a, concave portion 2423 b may be in thermal communication with tapered portion 2422 b, concave portion 2421 a may be in thermal communication with tapered portion 2420 a, and concave portion 2421 b may be in thermal communication with tapered portion 2420 b,

The concave portions 2423 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may extend along the entire length of the first jaw member 109 a or only along a portion of the length of first jaw member 109 a. Further, first jaw member 109 a may include multiple concave portions, each concave portion extending along a partial length of the first jaw member 109 a. Although the concave portions 2423 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may have a curved geometry, the concave portions 2423 a,b may include geometry, such as a linear geometry. Additionally, the concave portions 2421 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may extend along the entire length of the second jaw member 109 b or only along a portion of the length of second jaw member 109 b. Further, second jaw member 109 b may include multiple concave portions, each concave portion extending along a partial length of the second jaw member 109 b. Although the concave portions 2421 a,b depicted in FIG. 24 may have a curved geometry, the concave portions 2421 a,b may include alternative geometries, such as a linear geometry.

FIG. 25 depicts the results of compressing and cauterizing a blood vessel 2560 between the jaw members illustrated in FIG. 24. In the aspect depicted in FIG. 25, a blood vessel 2560 may comprise a lumen 2562, a tunica media 2563, and an adventitia 2566. When the blood vessel 2560 is compressed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member, a compression zone R is created in an interior space between the jaw members. The compression zone R may include a combination of the first tapered space 2424 a and the second tapered space 2424 b, as depicted in FIG. 24. Upon the application of the electrical energy to the jaw members, the tissue of the vessel 2560 may be heated to form a coagulum. Without being bound by theory, the coagulum may be subjected to plastic flow forces directed by the taper 2520 of the jaw members within the compression zone R. As a result, the coagulum, along with the tunica media 2563, may flow from the compression zone R into mold zones 2525 a,b. It may be noted that mold zones 2525 a,b in FIG. 25 correspond to mold zones 2425 a,b in FIG. 24. Because excess tissue, as coagulum, may accumulate in the mold zones 2525 a,b, the thickness T of the adventitia in the mold zone 2525 a,b may be greater than the normal thickness S of the adventitia of the blood vessel 2560. The sealed blood vessel 2560 may be cut by means of a reciprocating knife operating within the knife channels 530 and 230. The resulting seal may include the thickened portion of the blood vessels 2560 created by the coagulum being molded in the mold zones 2525 a,b. In this manner, the blood vessel seals may be fabricated with greater reproducibility, consistency, and predictability.

As depicted in FIGS. 22, 23, and 25, blood vessels that may be subjected to cauterization procedures using a surgical instrument having jaw members as depicted herein may have a complex structure including multiple layers. As disclosed above, such blood vessels may include arteries and veins comprising an intima, a tunica media, and an adventitia (along with venous valves). However, it should be recognized that blood vessels of any size and structure may be compressed and sealed using the jaw members disclosed above. Such blood vessels may include, without limitation, arterioles, capillaries, and venules. Further, non-vascular tissue, including dermal tissue, muscle tissue, gastrointestinal tissue, and urinary tissue, may also be suitably cauterized and cut using a surgical instrument having such jaw members as discloses herein.

While various aspects herein have been illustrated by description of several aspects and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, it is generally accepted that endoscopic procedures are more common than laparoscopic procedures. Accordingly, the present invention has been discussed in terms of endoscopic procedures and apparatus. However, use herein of terms such as “endoscopic”, should not be construed to limit the present invention to an instrument for use only in conjunction with an endoscopic tube (e.g., trocar). On the contrary, it is believed that the present invention may find use in any procedure where access is limited to a small incision, including but not limited to laparoscopic procedures, as well as open procedures.

Further, while several forms have been illustrated and described, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Numerous modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, combinations, and equivalents to those forms may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the structure of each element associated with the described forms can be alternatively described as a means for providing the function performed by the element. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, combinations, and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed forms. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, variations, changes, substitutions, modifications, and equivalents.

For conciseness and clarity of disclosure, selected aspects of the foregoing disclosure have been shown in block diagram form rather than in detail. Some portions of the detailed descriptions provided herein may be presented in terms of instructions that operate on data that is stored in one or more computer memories or one or more data storage devices (e.g. floppy disk, hard disk drive, Compact Disc (CD), Digital Video Disk (DVD), or digital tape). Such descriptions and representations are used by those skilled in the art to describe and convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In general, an algorithm refers to a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result, where a “step” refers to a manipulation of physical quantities and/or logic states which may, though need not necessarily, take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It is common usage to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. These and similar terms may be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities and/or states.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the foregoing disclosure, it is appreciated that, throughout the foregoing disclosure, discussions using terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various forms of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one form, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the forms disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as one or more program products in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative form of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

In some instances, one or more elements may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some aspects may be described using the term “connected” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. In another example, some aspects may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, also may mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. It is to be understood that depicted architectures of different components contained within, or connected with, different other components are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures may be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated also can be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated also can be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components, and/or electrically interacting components, and/or electrically interactable components, and/or optically interacting components, and/or optically interactable components.

In other instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.

It is worthy to note that any reference to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “one form,” or “a form” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one aspect,” “in an aspect,” “in one form,” or “in an form” in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territory even if components are located outside the territory. For example, in a distributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system may occur in a territory even though parts of the system may be located outside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearing medium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc. located outside the territory).

A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even if components of the system or method are located and/or used outside the territory. Further, implementation of at least part of a system for performing a method in one territory does not preclude use of the system in another territory.

All of the above-mentioned U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications, non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet, or any other disclosure material are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the concepts described herein. The foregoing description of the one or more forms has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more forms were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various forms and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set out in the following numbered examples:

Example 1. An electrosurgical system comprising:

-   an RF current generator; a handle body; and -   an end effector in mechanical communication with the handle body,     the end effector comprising:     -   a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first         electrode surface, wherein the first electrode is in electrical         communication with a first terminal of the RF current generator;         and     -   a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second         electrode surface, wherein the second electrode is in electrical         communication with a second terminal of the RF current         generator;     -   wherein the first jaw comprises at least one feature configured         to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed         between the at least one feature and the second electrode         surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force         applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode         surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is         placed in a proximate position to the second jaw, and     -   and wherein the second electrode is a planar surface.

Example 2. The electrosurgical system of Example 1, wherein the at least one feature comprises an at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 3. The electrosurgical system of any one of Examples 1 through 2, wherein the at least one feature comprises an at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 4. The electrosurgical system of any one of Examples 1 through 3, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.

Example 5. The electrosurgical system of Example 4, further comprising a plurality of insulating pads wherein each of the plurality of insulating pads has a surface co-planar with the second electrode surface;

-   wherein the at least one feature comprises a plurality of raised     bosses extending from and in electrical communication with the first     electrode; and -   wherein at least one of the plurality of raised bosses is configured     to engage at least one of the plurality of insulating pads when the     first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

Example 6. The electrosurgical system of Example 5, wherein the at least one feature further comprises an at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the plurality of raised bosses extend from a surface of the at least one longitudinal ridge.

Example 7. The electrosurgical system of Example 6, wherein the at least one feature further comprises an at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 8. The electrosurgical system of Example 5, wherein the at least one feature further comprises an at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the plurality of raised bosses extend from a surface of the at least one transverse ridge.

Example 9. The electrosurgical system of Example 8, wherein the at least one feature further comprises an at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 10. The electrosurgical system of any one of Examples 1 through 9, wherein the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.

Example 11. The electrosurgical system of any one of Examples 1 through 10, wherein the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.

Example 12. An end effector for an electrosurgical device, the end effector comprising:

-   a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first electrode     surface, in which the first electrode is configured to be in     electrical communication with a first terminal of an RF current     generator; and -   a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second electrode     surface, in which the second electrode is configured to be in     electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current     generator; -   in which the first jaw comprises at least one feature configured to     apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed     between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface     that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the     tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second     electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is     placed in a proximate position to the second jaw, and -   in which the second electrode is a planar surface.

Example 13. The end effector of Example 12, wherein the at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second jaw that is greater than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

Example 14. The end effector of any one of Examples 12 through 13, wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.

Example 15. The end effector of any one of Examples 12 through 14, wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.

Example 16. The end effector of any one of Examples 12 through 15, wherein the at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the a least one feature and the second electrode surface that is less than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.

Example 17. The end effector of Example 16, wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one longitudinal channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 18. The end effector of Example 16, wherein the at least one features comprises at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.

Example 19. wherein at least one feature is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that is greater than the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw, and

-   wherein at least a second feature is configured to apply an amount     of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least     second feature and the second electrode surface that is less than     the amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed     between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface     by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate     position to the second jaw.

Example 20. The end effector of any one of Examples 12 through 19, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.

Example 21. The end effector of Example 20, further comprising at least one insulating pad wherein the at least one insulating pad has a surface co-planar with the second electrode;

-   wherein the at least one feature comprises at least one raised boss     extending from and in electrical communication with the first     electrode; and -   wherein the at least one raised boss is configured to engage the at     least one insulating pad when the first jaw is placed in the     proximate position to the second jaw.

Example 22. The end effector of Example 21, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one longitudinal ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the at least one raised boss extends from a surface of the at least one longitudinal ridge.

Example 23. The end effector of any one of Examples 21 through 22, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the at least one raised boss extends from a surface of the at least one transverse ridge.

Example 24. The end effector of any one of Examples 12 through 23, wherein the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw.

Example 25. The end effector of any one of Examples 1 through 11, wherein the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw. 

1-25. (canceled)
 26. An electrosurgical system comprising: an RF current generator; a handle body; and an end effector in mechanical communication with the handle body, the end effector comprising: a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first electrode surface, wherein the first electrode is in electrical communication with a first terminal of the RF current generator; and a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second electrode surface, wherein the second electrode is in electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current generator; wherein: the first jaw comprises at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw; the at least one feature comprises a depressed longitudinal channel extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode to create a first depressed level that is further away from the second jaw compared to the first electrode surface; and the second electrode surface is a planar surface.
 27. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the first jaw further comprises a plurality of raised bosses extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode, the plurality of raised bosses being positioned on the first electrode surface to create a first raised level above the first electrode surface that is closer to the second jaw compared to the first electrode surface.
 28. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.
 29. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.
 30. The electrosurgical system of claim 27, further comprising a plurality of insulating pads wherein each of the plurality of insulating pads has a surface co-planar with the second electrode surface and wherein at least one of the plurality of raised bosses is configured to engage at least one of the plurality of insulating pads when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.
 31. The electrosurgical system of claim 30, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode and wherein the plurality of raised bosses extend from a surface of the at least one transverse ridge.
 32. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.
 33. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.
 34. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw when a force is applied to the end effector.
 35. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, wherein the depressed longitudinal channel is curved.
 36. The electrosurgical system of claim 26, further comprising a knife channel running through both the first jaw and the second jaw, and wherein: the depressed longitudinal channel is a first depressed longitudinal channel and is disposed on a first side of the knife channel running longitudinally with the knife channel; and the first jaw further comprises a second depressed longitudinal channel disposed on a second side of the knife channel opposite the first side of the knife channel, the second depressed longitudinal channel running longitudinally with the knife channel.
 37. An end effector for an electrosurgical device, the end effector comprising: a first jaw comprising a first electrode having a first electrode surface, wherein the first electrode is configured to be in electrical communication with a first terminal of an RF current generator; and a second jaw comprising a second electrode having a second electrode surface, wherein the second electrode is configured to be in electrical communication with a second terminal of the RF current generator; wherein: the first jaw comprises at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw; the at least one feature comprises a first depressed longitudinal channel extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode to create a first depressed level that is further away from the second jaw compared to the first electrode surface; the at least one feature comprises a second depressed longitudinal channel extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode to create a second depressed level that is further away from the second jaw compared to the first depressed level; and the second electrode surface is a planar surface.
 38. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the at least one feature is configured to apply the amount of the compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second jaw that is less than the amount of the compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.
 39. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the first jaw further comprises: a raised boss positioned on the first electrode surface and extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.
 40. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse ridge extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.
 41. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the at least one feature further comprises at least one transverse channel disposed in the first electrode.
 42. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the at least one feature is at least a first feature that is configured to apply the amount of the compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that is less than the amount of the compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw, and wherein the first jaw comprises at least a second feature that is configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to the tissue compressed between the at least second feature and the second electrode surface that is greater than the amount of the compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface by the first electrode when the first jaw is placed in the proximate position to the second jaw.
 43. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an insulating layer.
 44. The end effector of claim 43, further comprising at least one insulating pad wherein the at least one insulating pad has a surface co-planar with the second electrode surface.
 45. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the at least one feature further comprises a third depressed longitudinal channel extending from and in electrical communication with the first electrode.
 46. The end effector of claim 37, wherein at least one of the first depressed longitudinal channel and the second depressed longitudinal channel is curved.
 47. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw.
 48. The end effector of claim 37, wherein the first jaw is movable with respect to the second jaw. 